President Donald Trump escalated his confrontation with politically connected law firms on Thursday by issuing a proclamation targeting WilmerHale, the prestigious legal outfit that once employed former special counsel Robert Mueller. The order marks the fifth time the Trump administration has moved against major firms that have represented clients in opposition to the White House or have longstanding ties to Democratic figures.
The proclamation directs federal agencies to revoke security clearances held by WilmerHale lawyers, limit their access to government buildings, and initiate reviews to terminate federal contracts with the firm's clients. "This weaponization of the justice system must not be rewarded, let alone condoned," the order states.
WilmerHale, which employs more than 1,100 attorneys and maintains a high-profile presence in Washington, D.C., has pushed back against the move. "Our firm has a longstanding tradition of representing a wide range of clients, including in matters against administrations of both parties," a WilmerHale spokesperson said in a statement. "We look forward to pursuing all appropriate remedies to this unlawful order."
The White House cited the firm's ties to Mueller-who led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election-as a central reason for the action. Mueller retired from WilmerHale in 2021. His report concluded that while there were links between the Trump campaign and Moscow, there was insufficient evidence to charge a criminal conspiracy. The investigation did not make a determination on obstruction of justice.
The order also referenced the firm's pro bono work on immigration and voting rights cases, which Trump described as supporting "destructive" causes. WilmerHale currently represents a group of federal inspectors general who allege illegal dismissal by the administration and has been involved in legal actions tied to LGBTQ+ rights, immigration policies, and federal employee terminations.
Trump's proclamation follows a series of similar actions targeting legal giants. The administration dropped its order against Paul Weiss after the firm agreed to donate $40 million in pro bono legal work to Trump-approved initiatives and adopt nonpartisan hiring practices. Another executive order aimed at Perkins Coie was largely blocked by a federal judge earlier this month for likely violating constitutional protections.
A prior directive also revoked security access for attorneys at Covington & Burling, and Jenner & Block was named in a separate action this week. The administration has indicated it may expand the scope to firms that handled immigration cases or lawsuits against the government over the past eight years.
The American Bar Association and a coalition of 20 Democratic state attorneys general issued statements this week warning that the administration's escalating campaign jeopardizes the rule of law.
Among WilmerHale's notable clients are Apple, Harvard University, Meta, and Tesla. The firm has also counted former high-ranking officials among its partners, including Preet Bharara, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Seth Waxman, who served as U.S. Solicitor General under President Bill Clinton.
